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Keep Praying

 

Luke 18:1 - And he spake a parable unto them to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint; 

There is a vital element in prayer that most people overlook, which is persistence. So if you’ve been praying for something for a long time, keep it up and do not lose heart. At times, God will delay answering our requests, even if they are His will for us. Why does He do so?

First, the Lord will postpone if you’re not ready for His response. If He sees sin, bitterness, unforgiveness, or unhealthy habits in your life, He will straighten that out first. A second reason for God’s delay is to build your faith. Do you trust the Lord and respect Him as God even when you don’t see His answer? Remember, faith means you believe He exists and that He rewards you when you earnestly seek Him: Hebrews 11:6 - But without faith it is impossible to please him: for he that cometh to God must believe that he is, and that he is a rewarder of them that diligently seek him. 

Make Him your delight, keep believing Him, and be confident that He will provide the best for you. Finally, God sometimes delays His answer to develop your patience. What you desire may require perseverance once you receive it, and persisting in prayer will train you to endure.

So keep on asking, seeking, and knocking. Don’t give up. Hang in there – even when you don’t see any evidence that God will answer your prayer, because, eventually, you will see His provision in your situation.

From – “God’s Purpose for Your Life” by Charles F. Stanley